An early Christmas gift I just love

 

Before the calendar even rolled over to December, I had received a few Christmas gifts, including this one dropped off by my friend Liz after she went to see the Downton Abbey exhibit in Atlanta. I haven't been yet but am hoping to go before it leaves town in mid-January. So she had already told me that's where she found something for me.

Liz loves to take her time wrapping gifts, so I enjoyed admiring the wrapping on this one. Under the pretty ribbon were some paper doll-type figures that appeared Downton Abbey-era-appropriate. Lovely!

Now, I must say that it always makes me nervous when I realize someone has given me a book, because I already have so many books, especially tea books, and I've gotten a few duplicates over the years (although I always try to be gracious and hide that fact if I can!). But this time, I was delighted to realize I didn't have this book! And a Downton Abbey tea book? Well, I needed this.

The foods look yummy, including these lemon tarts, which would be a good excuse to use the miniature tart pans I recently came across while cleaning out the pantry.

And of course it's absolutely delightful to remember all the fun tea scenes from the TV show, especially the ones with Violet and Isobel.

And oh, Mr. Bates! Didn't we all love Mr. Bates!

And poor Edith. How we fretted over her fate for all those years. I believe that's a portion of a tipping teapot at the photo's far-right edge, isn't it? This is a book I will no doubt keep and use for many years, and it also reminded me that a new Downton movie is coming next year. I can't wait! Have any of you seen the Downton Abbey exhibit when it was in another city? Your thoughts?